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Grace Under Pressure: What Gives Life To American Priests Blanchette, Melvin, Castelli, James, Hemrick, Eugene, Theroux, Paul, Walsh, James National Catholic Educational Association [NCEA] , Washington, DC., 1995 Opening Paragraph Anyone who reads the newspaper knows that Catholic priests in the United States face historic challenges. Pressures abound! The priest shortage grows more severe with no end in sight, producing greater demands on fewer priests to minister to a growing number of people. The explosion of lay ministry produces more and new questions about the role of the priesthood. There are questions and deep feelings within the Church around the issue of who should be eligible for ordination. There are the expectations that the priest to be an effective preacher, presider, teacher, theologian, canon lawyer, counselor, spiritual director, team and community builder, group facilitator, organizational developer, program planner, fund raiser, and financial manager. The scandals involving priest pedophilia cases that have come to light over the past decade have tarnished the priesthood’s public image. It is no wonder, then, that there is considerable talk about the crisis in priests’ morale. Table of Contents and subtitles in each chapter: Part One: What Gives Life to your Priesthood? -- Risk-Taking and Change -- Balance, Perspective, and Time -- Authenticity -- A Life of Multiple Intimacies Family Other Priests Support Groups Laymen and Laywomen Women Friends -- Significance of Priesthood and the Mystery of the Call -- God’s Love -- Relationship with Jesus and the Paschal Mystery -- The Spiritual Life Mystery of God’s Activity in Life and Ministry -- Drawing Life from the People -- Listening -- Service, Compassion, and Empowerment Part Two: Related Questions -- How do you deal with the controversies facing the Church today? -- How do you see your role as a man in American society? -- What advice would you give to seminary personnel today? Back to Resources Section |